Cable flag



W. B. TINSLEY July 10, 1956 CABLE FLAG 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 23, 1954 Fig.1

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CABLE FLAG Filed Dec. 23, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 m i \\\\\W Fig". 4

W/LL/AM B. T/NSLEY INVENTOR.

BY 4 0% W ATTO EY United States Patent CABLE FLAG William B. Tinsiey, Houston, Tex,

Application December 23, 1954, Serial No. 477,372

3 tClairns, or. lie -114) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a cable flag.

It is an object of this invention to provide a signal for cable tool operators in oil field well servicing, to warn the operator of the position of the tool being lifted out of a well bore by a cable.

it is customary in oil field drilling operations to attach a rag or a piece of rope to the cable at the drum as the tool is first lowered into the bore, then when the tool is being removed, the flag will indicate to the operator that the tool is against the top of the bore, however, due to the fluid content of the bore, during normal operations, the cable and the flag will usually be so saturated when the tool is being removed from the bore, that it is impossible to see the flag and as a result the tool is drawn violently into the stufiing box and great damage results, even to the extent of breaking the tool loose from the cable and requiring a fishing job to extricate the tool from the bore and may even result in loss of the well. it is an object of this invention to provide a cable flag that will resist the saturation of the well bore content and that will stand out clearly on the cable after being emmersed in the well bore so that it may be easily seen by the operator as it approaches the drum.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a cable flag that may be quickly and easily mounted in a cable.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a novel article of manufacture.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention has relation to certain novel features of construction more particularly defined in the following specifications and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal View of the flag before mounting same in a cable.

Figure 2 is a vertical elevation of a cable showing flags mounted therein.

Figure 3 is an end view of flags mounted in the cable in extended position, and

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view of a derrick and cable illustrating the use of the cable flag.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates a cable, such as the steel cable used in servicing oil wells, which is made of a number of strands of steel wire. A flag is prepared as shown in Figure 1 by the method of selecting a quantity of animal hair 2 such as horse hair, and arranging same in a bundle of the desired length, usually three to four inches. A removable binder 3, such as scotch tape, is wrapped F; 2,753,833 Patented July 10, 1956 around the bundle adjacent each end, as at 4, 5, to bind the ends of the hair. If desired, a coating of soluble matter, such parafiin, may be applied to the bundle to lend rigidity to the bound hair.

The cable may be spread at the spot where it is desired to mount the flags by any suitable means, such as a pair of wrenches, one holding the cable against turning and the other twisting the cable against the twist of the wires, thus spreading the strands of wire a sufficient distance apart to permit the insertion of one end of the bound hair, and the bundle then moved so that the midsection of the bundle is flared and securely mounted inside of the cable 1. The wrappings may be removed from the ends of the flag as soon as mounted in the cable, if desired, or as the cable is lowered into the well bore, the wrappings will rapidly wear off of the ends of the flag, and the hair will be freed to spread in a brush like formation, the natural resistance of animal hair to liquid saturation will permit the hair to stand out in a readily discernable flag, without the usual eifect of the well bore liquids as it acts on rope and fabric. The flag will thus be stiff and outstretched as it comes out of the Well bore, and easily seen by the operator.

If desired, the hair may be treated with suitable brilliant colors, such as a fast dye, so that flags of different colors may be utilized for signals to the operator.

While the foregoing is considered a preferred form of the invention, it is by way of illustration only, the broad principle of the invention being defined by the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. A hoisting cable adapted to carry a substantial load and having at one end thereof an indicating device to indicate the position of the load, said device comprising a quantity of hair like substance arranged in a longitudinal bundle and bound together for insertion between the strands of a tool cable.

2. A hoisting cable adapted to carry a substantial load and having at one end thereof an indicating device to indicate the position of the load said indicating device comprising a cable flag formed of a quantity of animal hair arranged in longitudinal bundles and bound together at their medial portion, said bundles inserted in spaced relationship within the strands of said cable so that the hair extends radially outwardly of said cable.

3. A hoisting cable adapted to carry a substantial load and having at one end thereof an indicating device to indicate the position of the load said indicating device comprising a cable flag formed of a quantity of animal hair, a fast dye applied to said hair, said hair being arranged in longitudinal bundles and bound together at their medial portion, said bundles inserted in spaced relationship within the strands of said cable so that the hair extends radially outwardly of said cable.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,773,580 Franke Aug. 19, 1930 2,339,747 Pettorossi Jan. 18, 1944 2,416,758 Knowles Mar. 4, 1947 2,514,437 Bailke July 11, 1950 

